Hadith #2233

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his purified progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the negative emotion of jealousy and its root cause. The key words in this Hadith are (low self-esteem) "صِغَرِ الهِمَّةِ" and (jealousy towards a friend for the blessing [he has been endowed with])

حَسَدُ الصَّديقِ عَلَى النِّعْمَةِ

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns us about the destructive nature of jealousy in several verses. In Surah Al-Nisa, verse 54, Allah says,

Or do they envy people for what Allah has given them of His bounty? But we had already given the family of Abraham the Scripture and wisdom and conferred upon them a great kingdom.

This verse reminds us that jealousy towards others for the blessings they have been granted is futile, as everything is ultimately from Allah's bounty.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Hadid, verse 20, Allah states,

Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.

This verse reminds us that the material possessions and blessings of this world are temporary and fleeting. Therefore, it is irrational to feel jealous towards others for their worldly possessions, as they hold no true value in the grand scheme of things.

Now, let us delve into the impactful message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. The Imam highlights that jealousy towards a friend for the blessings they have been endowed with stems from low self-esteem. This means that when a person feels inadequate or lacks self-confidence, they may become envious of others who possess qualities or blessings they desire.

This Hadith serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to reflect upon their own self-worth and to focus on self-improvement rather than comparing themselves to others. Instead of harboring jealousy towards others, Muslims should strive to develop their own skills, talents, and character. By doing so, they can attain a sense of fulfillment and contentment, recognizing that each individual has been uniquely blessed by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) with different qualities and circumstances.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) wisdom in this Hadith encourages Muslims to cultivate a positive mindset and to appreciate the blessings bestowed upon others. By doing so, they can foster a sense of unity and brotherhood within the Muslim community, rather than allowing jealousy to create divisions and animosity.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that jealousy towards others for their blessings is a manifestation of low self-esteem. Muslims are reminded to focus on self-improvement, appreciate the unique blessings granted by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and avoid comparing themselves to others. By doing so, they can foster a harmonious and supportive community, where individuals uplift and inspire one another rather than being consumed by jealousy. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength to overcome jealousy and cultivate a positive mindset.